Computer system and its renewal method

ABSTRACT

A computer system including a management computer for managing the entire system, an integral apparatus, and a high-level connecting device for connecting the management computer and the integral apparatus is designed so that the management computer retains integral apparatus internal configuration information, configuration information about an integral apparatus to be introduced, that indicates the configuration of the integral apparatus that may possibly be introduced to the system, and lifetime information indicating lifetime of the integral apparatus; obtains connectivity guarantee information indicating whether connectivity between the computer and the storage apparatus is guaranteed or not; selects an integral apparatus to be removed from the system by referring to the lifetime information; selects an integral apparatus to be introduced to the system by referring to the integral apparatus internal configuration information, the configuration information about the integral apparatus to be introduced, and the connectivity guarantee information.

CROSS-REFERENCES

This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.13/457,624, filed Apr. 27, 2012, which is a continuation application ofU.S. Ser. No. 12/935,365, filed Sep. 29, 2010, which is a 371 NationalStage application of PCT/JP2010/004059, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a computer system and its renewalmethod. Particularly, this invention is suited for use in a computersystem equipped with an integral apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

With the spread of the Internet and the like, consolidation and scaleexpansion of computer systems in companies have been being promoted.Therefore, an apparatus and operation management method for efficientlyconstructing and operating the computer systems whose scale is beingexpanded is important. A computer system is constituted from a computerfor processing information, a storage apparatus for storing programs anddata used by the computer, a connecting device for establishingconnections between the computer and the computer, between the computerand the storage apparatus, and also with an external network, and theconnection (network).

Regarding this computer system including a computer, a storageapparatus, and a connecting device, there is a known technique relatingto electric power saving in operation by setting support by means ofcooperation between a plurality of apparatuses and realization ofconsistency in settings by having a management computer control each ofthe computer, the storage apparatus, and the connecting device asdescribed in Patent Literature 1.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

-   [PTL 1]-   Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) Publication No.    2002-335265

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

It has been necessary to select, introduce, and mutually connect(establish a network between) the above-mentioned three majorapparatuses (a computer, a storage apparatus, and a connecting device)in order to construct a computer system. A person in charge of operationof the computer system and a system administrator who select andintroduce the apparatuses need to consider in what allocation theyshould purchase these three kinds of apparatuses, how the apparatusesshould be connected, whether or not the purchased apparatuses can beconnected and used without any trouble, and how programs, data, andvirtual computers should be located in the purchased apparatuses; andthe person in charge of operation and the system administrator arerequired to have a high level of expertise. Accordingly, there is aproblem of a heavy burden of requirement on the person in charge ofoperation and the system administrator.

In relation to the above-described problem, an integral apparatus inwhich a computer, a storage apparatus, and a connecting device areassembled in advance has been being used recently. A company (vendor)provides the integral apparatus by connecting the computer, the storageapparatus, and the connecting device in an integrated manner in advance,so that they guarantee that the purchased apparatus can be connected andused without any trouble. Furthermore, additions can be made to thesystem and the system can be enhanced sequentially by connecting thepurchased apparatus only to an external connecting device. The burden onthe person in charge of operation and the system administrator whoconstruct the computer system to construct a large-scale computer systemcan be reduced by constructing the large-scale computer system using aplurality of integral apparatuses.

However, problems of such a large-scale computer system using theabove-described integral apparatuses are that it is necessary toconsider what type of configuration of the integral apparatus should bepurchased and how programs, data, and virtual computers should belocated in the computer system constituted from a plurality of integralapparatuses and operation management procedures different fromconventional operation management procedures, by which the computer, thestorage apparatus, and the connecting device are introduced separately,are required.

Since the computer, the storage apparatus, and the connecting device areconnected in advance in the integral apparatus, it is guaranteed thatthe purchased apparatus can be used without any trouble; however, noconsideration is given to connectivity between different types orgenerations of integral apparatuses. If the lifetime of a computersystem (as a specific example, a data center and the like) is longerthan that of an integral apparatus, there is a possibility thatdifferent types or generations of integral apparatuses may exist. Inthis case, it is necessary to consider how programs, data, and virtualstorage apparatuses should be located in consideration of the differenttypes or generations of integral apparatuses. Specifically speaking, ifprograms, data, and virtual storage apparatuses are located accordingonly to the connectivity guaranteed within the integral apparatus, thereis a problem of difficulty in increasing a utilization rate of thecomputer and the storage apparatus.

The present invention was devised in light of the circumstancesdescribed above and aims at facilitating the system configuration andrenewal of a large-scale computer system constructed by using integralapparatuses.

Solution to Problem

In order to solve the problems described above, a computer systemincluding a management computer for managing the entire system, anintegral apparatus, and a high-level connecting device for connectingthe management computer and the integral apparatus is provided accordingto this invention, wherein the integral apparatus includes: a computerfor executing various processing sequences according to implementedapplication software; a storage apparatus from or to which the computerreads or writes data; and a low-level connecting device for connectingthe computer, the storage apparatus, and the high-level connectingdevice; and a set of the computer, the storage apparatus, and thelow-level connecting device can be attached to, or removed from, thesystem; and wherein the management computer retains integral apparatusinternal configuration information indicating the configuration of theintegral apparatus, configuration information about an integralapparatus to be introduced, that indicates the configuration of theintegral apparatus that may possibly be introduced to the system, andlifetime information indicating lifetime of the integral apparatus;obtains connectivity guarantee information indicating whetherconnectivity between the computer and the storage apparatus isguaranteed or not; selects an integral apparatus to be removed from thesystem by referring to the lifetime information; selects an integralapparatus to be introduced to the system by referring to the integralapparatus internal configuration information, the configurationinformation about the integral apparatus to be introduced, and theconnectivity guarantee information; and outputs information about theselected integral apparatus to be removed and the selected integralapparatus to be introduced.

Also, a method for renewing a computer system including a managementcomputer for managing the entire system, an integral apparatus, and ahigh-level connecting device for connecting the management computer andthe integral apparatus is provided according to this invention, whereinthe integral apparatus includes: a computer for executing variousprocessing sequences according to implemented application software; astorage apparatus from or to which the computer reads or writes data;and a low-level connecting device for connecting the computer, thestorage apparatus, and the high-level connecting device; and a set ofthe computer, the storage apparatus, and the low-level connecting devicecan be attached to, or removed from, the system; and wherein themanagement computer retains integral apparatus internal configurationinformation indicating the configuration of the integral apparatus,configuration information about an integral apparatus to be introduced,that indicates the configuration of the integral apparatus that maypossibly be introduced to the system, and lifetime informationindicating lifetime of the integral apparatus; obtains connectivityguarantee information indicating whether connectivity between thecomputer and the storage apparatus is guaranteed or not; and includes afirst step of selecting an integral apparatus to be removed from thesystem by referring to the lifetime information, a second step ofselecting an integral apparatus to be introduced to the system byreferring to the integral apparatus internal configuration information,the configuration information about the integral apparatus to beintroduced, and the connectivity guarantee information, and a third stepof outputting information about the selected integral apparatus to beremoved and the selected integral apparatus to be introduced.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

When sequentially renewing old apparatuses to new apparatuses in, orsimply adding and introducing an apparatus to, a large-scale computersystem configured by using integral apparatuses according to thisinvention, an integral apparatus to be added and introduced can beautomatically selected, so that the burden on a person in charge ofoperation or a system administrator can be reduced.

Furthermore, this invention can automatically migrate programs, data, avirtual computer(s), and volumes when adding and introducing an integralapparatus and removing an old apparatus, so that the burden on theperson in charge of operation or the system administrator can bereduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of acomputer system according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing another configuration example for thecomputer system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another configuration example for thecomputer system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 a is a block diagram showing a processing sequence for integralapparatus replacement processing.

FIG. 4 b is a block diagram showing a processing sequence for theintegral apparatus replacement processing.

FIG. 4 c is a block diagram showing a processing sequence for theintegral apparatus replacement processing.

FIG. 4 d is a block diagram showing a processing sequence for theintegral apparatus replacement processing.

FIG. 4 e is a block diagram showing a processing sequence for theintegral apparatus replacement processing.

FIG. 4 f is a block diagram showing a processing sequence for theintegral apparatus replacement processing.

FIG. 5 a is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of anintegral apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 b is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of acomputer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 c is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of astorage apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 d is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of aconnecting device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 e is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of amanagement computer according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 a is a block diagram showing another configuration example forthe integral apparatus.

FIG. 6 b is a block diagram showing another configuration example forthe computer.

FIG. 6 c is a block diagram showing another configuration example forthe storage apparatus.

FIG. 7 a is a block diagram showing a configuration example for acomputer system using integral apparatuses.

FIG. 7 b is a block diagram showing a configuration example for acomputer system using integral apparatuses.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forlifetime information.

FIG. 9 a is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forintegral apparatus internal configuration information.

FIG. 9 b is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forintegral apparatus internal configuration information.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forinter-integral-apparatus connection information.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forconnecting path information according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forutilization rate information.

FIG. 13 a is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forinternal configuration information about an integral apparatus to beintroduced.

FIG. 13 b is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forthe internal configuration information about an integral apparatus to beintroduced.

FIG. 13 c is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forthe internal configuration information about an integral apparatus to beintroduced.

FIG. 13 d is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forthe internal configuration information about an integral apparatus to beintroduced.

FIG. 13 e is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forthe internal configuration information about an integral apparatus to beintroduced.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forextension plan information.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a processing sequence forapparatus-to-be-removed selecting processing.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a processing sequence forapparatus-to-be-introduced selecting processing.

FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b) are conceptual diagrams showing configurationexamples for connectivity guarantee information according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a processing sequence for migrationplan designing processing.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a processing sequence for migrationplan execution processing.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing a configuration example for acomputer system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forconnecting path information according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a configuration example for acomputer system according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forconnecting path information according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a configuration example for acomputer system according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example forconnecting path information according to the fourth embodiment.

FIGS. 26 (a) and 26 (b) are block diagrams showing configurationexamples for connectivity guarantee information according to the fourthembodiment.

FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram explaining a computer in a computersystem according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a configuration example for acomputer system according to a fifth embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be explained below with reference to theattached drawings. It should be noted that, as a general rule, elementsthat have the same structural part and to which the same referencenumeral is assigned performs the same operation in the followingembodiments.

(1) First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a computer system 1 accordingto this embodiment. The computer system 1 shown in FIG. 1 is constructedby using a plurality of integral apparatuses 10 (10 a to 10 d). Eachintegral apparatus 10 is connected via a connecting device 200 in theintegral apparatus 10 to a connecting device 50. As a result, theplurality of integral apparatuses 10 can access each other via theconnecting device 50.

Incidentally, the integral apparatus hereinafter means an apparatusequipped with a computer(s), a storage apparatus(es), and a connectingdevice, regarding which connectivity is guaranteed in advance. Thecomputer(s), the storage apparatus(es), and the connecting device may beplaced in the same chassis or formed separately as long as they aretreated as one unit as a whole. Specifically speaking, for example, aform in which the computer(s), the storage apparatus(es), and theconnecting device are treated physically as one unit is possible.

A management computer 500 for managing the integral apparatuses 10 isconnected via the connecting device 50 to the integral apparatuses 10,so that the management computer 500 can communicate with eachapparatus/device included in the integral apparatuses 10. The managementcomputer 500 is also connected to the Internet 90 so that it can obtainvarious pieces of information provided via the Internet 90.Incidentally, the management computer 500 may be located so that it isconnected via the Internet 90 to the connecting device 50. A client(s)will be connected via the Internet 90 to the computer system 1.

The integral apparatus 10 according to this embodiment includes: one ormore computers 300 for executing various processing sequences accordingto a user's business activities based on implemented applicationsoftware; one or more storage apparatuses 100 from or to which thecomputer 300 reads or writes data; a low-level connecting device 200(hereinafter simply referred to as the “connecting device 200”) forconnecting the storage apparatus 100 to a high-level connecting device50 (hereinafter simply referred to as the “connecting device 50”).Connections are established via the connecting device 200 between thecomputers 300 and the storage apparatus 100 and between the computers300. The computer 300 can access the storage apparatus 100 in theintegral apparatus 10 via the connecting device 200 in its integralapparatus; however, in order to access the storage apparatus 100 inanother integral apparatus, the computer 300 accesses that storageapparatus 100 via the connecting device 200 in the integral apparatus 10in which the computer 30 exists, the connecting device 50, and then theconnecting device 200 in the other integral apparatus.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example in which a plurality of connectingdevices 50 are used instead of the connecting device 50 shown in FIG. 1to connect a plurality of integral apparatuses 50 so that each integralapparatus 50 can communicate with other integral apparatuses 50. In thisconfiguration example, a communication network equivalent to theconnecting device 50 shown in FIG. 1 is constructed by connecting theconnecting device 200 in each integral apparatus 10 with each connectingdevice 50 in a mesh configuration. Therefore, even when thecommunication network connecting the integral apparatuses 10 is requiredto have high performance, for example, when adding an integral apparatus10, it is possible to dynamically respond to the requirement by adding aconnecting device 50 outside the integral apparatuses 10. Furthermore,FIG. 2 shows that the plurality of connecting devices 50 are configuredin one tier; however, the plurality of connecting devices 50 can beconfigured in multiple tiers so that an integral apparatus(es) 10 can beadded flexibly. Furthermore, functions of the multiple-level connectingdevices may be divided according to different levels and, a networkhierarchical structure may be divided according to different levels, forexample, level 2 and level 3, so that the connecting devices 50 can beconstructed and assigned different functions, thereby increasingextensibility of the computer system 1.

FIG. 3 shows a form in which two connecting devices, that is, aconnecting device 209, which connects a computer 300′ and a storageapparatus 100′, and the connecting device 200, which connects thecomputers 300′ and is connected to the external connecting device 50,are used. When a computer 300′ in an integral apparatus 10′ (10′a to10′d) accesses a storage apparatus 100′ in that integral apparatus 10′,it does not make access via the connecting device 200 used whenaccessing another integral apparatus 10′. So, it is possible to enhanceaccess performance from the computer 300′ to the storage apparatus 100′as compared to the configuration of FIG. 1. On the other hand, since thestorage apparatus 100′ is not directly connected to the connectingdevice 200, when a computer 300′ in another integral apparatus 10′accesses the above-mentioned storage apparatus 100′, it accesses thatstorage apparatus 100 via the computer 300′ in the integral apparatus10′ to which that storage apparatus 100′ belongs.

This embodiment provides a method for selecting an integral apparatus 10and a method for migrating programs, data, and a virtual computer whenremoving an old integral apparatus 10 from, and introducing a newintegral apparatus 10 to, the computer system 1 constituted from theintegral apparatuses 10 described above.

For example, FIG. 1 shows a case where the integral apparatus 10 a isremoved and a new integral apparatus is introduced. Variations areprepared for an integral apparatus to be introduced. Candidates of theintegral apparatus to be introduced includes, as shown in FIG. 1: (a) anintegral apparatus 11 including one connecting device, two computers,and two storage apparatuses; (b) an integral apparatus 12 including oneconnecting device, four computers, and one storage apparatus; (c) anintegral apparatus 13 including one connecting device, eight computers,and one storage apparatus; and (d) an integral apparatus 14 includingone connecting device and sixteen computers. In addition to theabove-described four types of integral apparatuses 11 to 14, there isanother candidate to be added, that is, (e) an integral apparatus 15including only a plurality of storage apparatuses.

In the internal configurations (a) to (c), a connecting device,computers, and a storage apparatus(es) always exist. For example, if alarge amount of data operation is required when adding theabove-mentioned types of integral apparatuses 11 to 13, it is onlynecessary to select an integral apparatus including a high percentage ofcomputers; and if a large amount of power is not required for dataoperation and an amount of data to be stored is large, it is onlynecessary to select an integral apparatus including a high percentage ofstorage apparatuses. In the integral configuration (d), only thecomputers and the connecting device are located and no storage apparatusis located. So, this integral configuration 14 is selected whenenhancing only the computer power. When storing data, a storageapparatus included in another integral apparatus will be used.Incidentally, from a different point of view, the integralconfigurations (a) to (d) are designed so that communication isperformed between the computers and the storage apparatus(es) or betweenthe computers in the same integral apparatus 11 to 14, the connectingdevice is included in the integral apparatus.

Regarding the integral configuration shown in (e), one storage apparatusconstitutes the integral apparatus, which is accessed only by thecomputers existing in other integral apparatuses. Therefore, thisintegral configuration (e) does not require a connecting device.

The above-described pluralities of variations are prepared in advance bya vendor who provides integral apparatuses; and when adding an integralapparatus to the computer system 1, a user can select an integralapparatus to be added from among these variations (or series).Accordingly, the user does not have to decide the computers, storageapparatus(es), and connecting device individually, so that the user'slabor required to make such a decision can be reduced.

In this embodiment, each of these variations of integral apparatuses isa unit to be added to the computer system 1 or a unit to be removed fromthe computer system 1 and addition or removal of an integralapparatus(es) to or from the computer system 1 is managed based on thisunit. The vendor provides these integral apparatuses, each constitutedfrom a plurality of various equipment; manages the integral apparatus byusing miscellaneous characteristics such as computer power, the storagecapacity of the storage apparatus(es), useful life of equipment,topology within the equipment, and the number of external connections(the above-listed characteristics will be explained later); and furtherguarantees the integral apparatuses in terms of the characteristics.Therefore, the burden on the user who manages the computer system inmanaging individual apparatuses/devices in the integral apparatuses willbe reduced and the management of the whole computer system will becomeeasier by using the integral apparatuses provided by the vendor.

The computer system 1 according to this embodiment is configured so thata plurality of integral apparatuses, which are provided by the vendorand regarding which connectivity between devices/apparatuses in eachintegral apparatus is guaranteed, are connected to each other under thecontrol of the user by using a connecting device outside the integralapparatuses, thereby configuring the computer power and storage capacityas desired by the user.

FIG. 4 a to FIG. 4 f show procedures for renewing the integralapparatuses in the computer system 1. An apparatus-to-be-removedselecting program 521 for the management computer 500 obtains lifetimeinformation 401 from each apparatus/device in the integral apparatusesand extracts an integral apparatus to be removed (FIG. 4 a).

Next, a migration plan designing program 523 for the management computer500 refers to connecting path information 410 retained by the managementcomputer 500 and extracts virtual computers and storage areas includedin the integral apparatus to be removed (FIG. 4 b).

Subsequently, an apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522 forthe management computer 500 obtains integral apparatus internalconfiguration information 404 from each integral apparatus; selects anintegral apparatus 11 to 14 or a storage apparatus 15 to be introducedaccording to inter-integral-apparatus connection information 411,connecting path information 410, and utilization rate information 412retained by the management computer 500, connectivity guaranteeinformation 420 and internal configuration information about an integralapparatus to be introduced 421, which are externally obtained from, forexample an information providing computer 80 on the vendor's side, andextension plan information 430 obtained from a system administrator; andpresents introduced apparatus information 431 to the systemadministrator (FIG. 4 c). Incidentally, the number of vendors whoprovide integral apparatuses should not necessarily be limited to onevendor. If another vendor can provide information, such as the integralapparatus internal configuration information 404 and the connectivityguarantee information 420, used to select an integral apparatus to beadded to the computer system, which integral apparatus should be acandidate to be added may be determined by using the providedinformation; and integral apparatuses provided by the other vendor maybe considered as objects to be selected if they could satisfy theconditions.

The migration plan designing program 523 for the management computer 500always monitors a new integral apparatus being connected to the computersystem. If the migration plan designing program 523 detects a newintegral apparatus being connected, it obtains the integral apparatusinternal configuration information 404 from each integral apparatus(including the newly connected integral apparatus) and updates theinter-integral-apparatus connection information 411 retained by themanagement computer 500. Furthermore, a migration plan 432 for virtualcomputers on the computer 300 in the integral apparatus to be removedand storage areas in the storage apparatus 100 is designed based on theconnecting path information 410, the utilization rate information 412and the connectivity guarantee information 420 as well as the extensionplan information 430 obtained from the system administrator (FIG. 4 d).

If the migration plan is approved by the system administrator, themigration plan designing program 523 for the management computer 500activates a migration plan execution program 524 and starts migratingthe virtual computers and the storage areas (FIG. 4 e).

When migration of all the virtual computers and the storage areas fromthe integral apparatus to be removed is completed, that integralapparatus can be removed and the management computer 500 sends amigration completion notice 433 to the system administrator to notifyhim/her that the relevant integral apparatus can be removed (FIG. 4 f).As a result, the system administrator removes the integral apparatusaccording to the migration completion notice 433.

Incidentally, if the virtual computers and the storage areas aremigrated, the management computer 500 manages the post-migrationpositions of the virtual computers and the storage areas and sortscommands, which are given from clients via the Internet 90, into theintegral apparatuses which are destinations of the commands.

As a result of the above-described processing, an integral apparatus canbe automatically selected in the computer system equipped with theintegral apparatuses, so that the system administrator's burden can bereduced. Furthermore, the storage areas and the virtual computers can beautomatically migrated as a result of removal and introduction of anintegral apparatus, so that the system administrator's burden can bereduced.

The above-mentioned procedure has been explained by taking, as anexample, removal and introduction of an integral apparatus as triggeredby the integral apparatus lifetime information 401. Similarly, thisinvention can be applied to extension of the computer system by additionof an integral apparatus without removal of an integral apparatus. Inthis case, the above-mentioned procedure is triggered by acquisition ofextension plan information 430 by the apparatus-to-be-introducedselecting program 523 for the management computer 500. This inventioncan also be applied to extension of the computer system in order to dealwith deficiency in computer resources (computer power) or deficiency inthe storage capacity. In this case, the extension of the computer systemis triggered by the utilization rate information 412.

Also, the above-mentioned procedure may be triggered by the occurrenceof a failure in an integral apparatus. Specifically speaking, if anintegral apparatus monitors itself and a failure occurs in one device inits configuration, it reports the failure to the management computer500, which may be a trigger for the above-mentioned procedure; or if themanagement computer 500 regularly monitors the integral apparatuseswithin its management range and determines that no response indicates afailure, which may be a trigger for the above-mentioned procedure.

The details of the integral apparatus and the computer system accordingto this invention will be explained below.

FIG. 5 a shows a configuration example for the integral apparatus 10.The integral apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 5 a includes four computers 300,one storage apparatus 100, and one connecting device 200. Each computer300 and the connecting device 200 are connected by one cable. Thestorage apparatus 100 and the connecting device 200 are connected by sixcables. The connecting device 200 can be connected to an externalconnecting device 50 via four cables. In this embodiment, a connectingdevice that conforms to Ethernet (registered trademark) standards isused as the connecting device 50; however, a connecting device thatconforms to standards other than Ethernet (registered trademark) mayalso be used.

FIG. 5 b shows the configuration of the computer 300. The computer 300includes: a CPU 310 for executing programs, a memory 320 for storingprograms and data used by the programs; and an Ethernet controller 350for connection to the connecting device 200.

The memory 320 for the computer 300 stores a virtual computer executionprogram 321 for executing virtual computers, virtual computers 322, alifetime management program 328 for managing introduction time andoperating time of the computers, and a lifetime management table 329.

This embodiment will be explained about, for example, a case where adata processing process will be executed on the virtual computer 322.Also, in this embodiment, the data processing will be executed in one ormore processes. The processes are managed on a normalized computer powerbasis by the management computer 500. The normalized computer powermeans the power of a computer that is normalized by considering thecomputer's throughput at a certain point in time as “1.” For example, aprocess that requires “4” normalized computer power can be executed on acomputer having 4 or more normalized computer power. The computer powerof a virtual computer for executing the process can be changed bychanging resources allocated to the virtual computer (for example, CPUresources (the number of cores)) or changing allocation time or thelike.

Examples of method for improving the data processing performance are: amethod of increasing the normalized computer power allocated to theprocesses; and a method of executing data processing concurrently in aplurality of processes. Which method could improved the data processingperformance more depends on the types of data processing. The followingcases are assumed in this embodiment: a case in which the performance isimproved by dividing a process; and a case in which the performance isimproved without dividing a process. Specifically speaking, the formerexample is a case where one page such as Web site is provided by aplurality of computers and the latter example is a case where a databasecannot be divided.

If the management computer 500 detects a high load process, and if dataprocessing for that process can be implemented by executing a pluralityof processes concurrently, the number of processes is increased and thedata processing is executed concurrently. So, virtual computers andstorage areas are created so that the data processing can be executedconcurrently. For example, if the load on process A that has beenexecuted with the normalized computer power “1” increases, themanagement computer 500 creates a virtual computer(s) and a storagearea(s) whose normalized computer power is “1”; and then executesprocess A on the created virtual computer(s).

If the management computer 500 detects a high load process and if dataprocessing for the process cannot be implemented by executing aplurality of processes concurrently, the normalized computer powerallocated to that process is increased. For example, if the load onprocess B which has been executed with the normalized computer power “4”increases, the management computer changes the normalized computerpower, which is allocated to virtual computers executing process B, to“6.” For example, if two virtual computers whose normalized computerpower is “4” are executed on a computer with the normalized computerpower “8,” it is necessary to migrate one virtual computer to anothercomputer 300 in order to change the normalized computer power of theabove-mentioned virtual computers to “6.”

FIG. 5 c shows the configuration of the storage apparatus 100. Thestorage apparatus 100 includes: a storage apparatus control controller150 for controlling reading/writing of programs and data from/to thecomputer 300; and storage media such as SSDs (solid state drives) 101and HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) 102 for storing programs and data.Incidentally, only either one of the SSDs 101 and the HDDs 102 may beused as the storage media.

The storage apparatus control controller 150 includes: a CPU 151 forexecuting programs, a memory 152 for storing programs and data used bythe programs; a cache 153 for temporarily storing data written by thecomputer 300 or data read from the storage media (the SSDs 101 or theHDDs 102); an Ethernet controller 155 for connection with the connectingdevice 200; and a drive controller 156 for connection with the SSDs 101and/or the HDDs 102.

The memory 152 for the storage apparatus control controller 150 stores:an access processing program 160 for executing a read/write request fromthe computer 300; an external storage apparatus access program 161 forissuing a read/write request to other storage apparatuses 100; anintegral apparatus internal configuration information report program 162for retaining a connection relationship between the apparatuses/devicesin the integral apparatus 10; an integral apparatus internalconfiguration information table 163; a data copy program 164 for copyingdata between the storage apparatuses 100; a lifetime management program168 for managing the introduction time and operating time of the storageapparatuses 100; and a lifetime management table 169.

FIG. 5 d shows the configuration of the connecting device 200. Theconnecting device 200 includes: a CPU 210 for executing programs; amemory 220 for storing programs and data used by the programs; a switchcontroller 250 for controlling communication exchanges; and connectionports 290 for connecting cables from the computers 300, the storageapparatuses 100, or other connecting devices 200.

The memory 220 for the connecting device 200 stores: a switch controlprogram 221 for controlling communication exchanges; a lifetimemanagement program 228 for managing introduction time and operating timeof the connecting device 200; and a lifetime management table 229.

FIG. 5 e shows the configuration of the management computer 500. Themanagement computer 500 includes: a CPU 510 for executing programs; amemory 520 for storing programs and data used by the programs; a timer540 used to judge the lifetime of apparatuses/devices and create theutilization rate information 412 (FIG. 4 c); and an Ethernet controller550 for connection with the connecting device 200.

The memory 520 for the management computer 500 stores: aapparatus-to-be-removed selecting program 521; anapparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522; a migration plandesigning program 523; a migration plan execution program 524; alifetime information retaining table 530 for storing lifetimeinformation collected from each apparatus/device; an integral apparatusinternal configuration information retaining table 531 for storing theintegral apparatus internal configuration information 404 (FIG. 4 c)collected from each integral apparatus 10; an inter-integral-apparatusconnection information retaining table 532 for storing theinter-integral apparatus connection information 411 (FIG. 4 c) which isconnection information between the integral apparatuses; a connectingpath information retaining table 533 for storing the connecting pathinformation 410 (FIG. 4 c) from the virtual computers to the storageareas; a utilization rate information retaining table 534 for storingthe utilization rate information 412 about each virtual computer andeach storage area; an internal configuration information retaining tablefor an integral apparatus to be introduced 535 for storing the internalconfiguration information about an integral apparatus to be introduced421 (FIG. 4 c) obtained via, for example, the Internet; an extensionplan information retaining table 536 for storing the extension planinformation 430 (FIG. 4 c) which is input by the system administrator; amigration plan retaining table 537 for storing the migration plan 432(FIG. 4 d) designed by the migration plan execution program 524; and aconnectivity guarantee information retaining table 538 for storing theconnectivity guarantee information 420 (FIG. 4 c) obtained via, forexample, the Internet.

FIG. 6 a shows another configuration example for the integral apparatus10′ described earlier with reference to FIG. 3. This integral apparatus10′ includes four computers 300′, one storage apparatus 100′, and twoconnecting devices 200, 209. The computer 300′ and the connecting device200 are connected via one cable using the Ethernet. The computers 300′and the connecting device 209 are connected via four cables using FibreChannel. The storage apparatus 100′ and the connecting device 209 areconnected via four cables using Fibre Channel. Furthermore, the storageapparatus 100′ and the connecting device 200 are connected via twocables using the Ethernet. The connections can be implemented even ifany means other than the Ethernet or Fibre Channel is used as theconnecting devices 200, 209. For example, PCI-express or the like may beused instead of Fibre Channel as the connecting device 209.

FIG. 6 b shows the configuration of the computer 300′. The computer 300′is configured by including a Fibre Channel controller 380 for connectingto the connecting device 209, in addition to the configuration of thecomputer 300.

FIG. 6 c shows the configuration of the storage apparatus 100′. With thestorage apparatus control controller 150′, two out of six networkcontrollers for the storage apparatus control controller 150 areEthernet controllers 155 and the other four network controllers areFibre Channel controllers 158 for connecting to the connecting device209.

FIG. 7 a shows a configuration example for a computer system using theintegral apparatuses 10, 10′. This computer system includes one integralapparatus 10 and one integral apparatus 10′. The two integralapparatuses 10, 10′ are connected via the connecting device 50. Sinceboth the connecting device 200 in the integral apparatus 10 and theconnecting device 200 in the integral apparatus 10′ are compatible withthe Ethernet, the connecting device 50 which is compatible with theEthernet is also used. The management computer 500 is also connected tothe connecting device 50.

FIG. 7 b shows an example of a computer system in which part of thefunctions of the management computer 500 is executed by the integralapparatuses 10, 10′, in addition to FIG. 7 a.

FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the lifetime management tables329, 169, 229 shown in FIG. 5 b to FIG. 5 d, FIG. 6 a, and FIG. 6 b.Each of the computers 300, 300′, the storage apparatuses 100, 100′, andthe connecting device 200 according to this embodiment retains thelifetime information. The lifetime information includes an operationstart date and time, actual operating time, specified apparatuslifetime, and specified operating time. When a period of the specifiedapparatus lifetime has elapsed since the operation start date and time,or if the specified operating time has elapsed as the actual operatingtime, it is determined that the relevant apparatus/device has reachedthe end of its lifetime, and the apparatus/device becomes a candidate tobe removed.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the operation start dates andtimes and the actual operating time of devices/apparatuses in anintegral apparatus become identical to each other. This is becausebasically power on/off processing is not executed individually in thecomputers 300, 300′, the storage apparatuses 100, 100′, and theconnecting device 200, so that the operation start dates and times andthe actual operating time of the devices/apparatuses in an integralapparatus become identical to each other. However, if a faultyapparatus/device is replaced, this will result in the existence of anapparatus/device whose operation start date and time and actualoperating time are different from those of the otherapparatuses/devices. In this case, if there are a larger number ofapparatuses/devices which have reached the end of their lives (thissituation can be seen in most cases) according to a ratio of theapparatuses/devices which have reached the end of their lives, toapparatuses/devices which have not reached the end of their lives, thelifetime of the integral apparatus as a whole is judged from a majorityof the apparatuses/devices in the integral apparatus, that is, theapparatuses/devices which have reached the end of their lives. Theapparatus-to-be-removed selecting program 521 for the managementcomputer 500 regularly collects the lifetime information from eachapparatus/device and stores it in the lifetime information retainingtable 530 (FIG. 5 e).

Incidentally, an information retaining form is expressed as a table, butany retaining form such as a list may be used as long as the content issubstantially the same. The same can be said for information hereinafterdescribed.

In this embodiment as described above, each of the computers 300, 300′,the storage apparatuses 100, 100′, and the connecting device 200 has thelifetime management program 328, 168, 228 (FIG. 5 a to FIG. 5 d, FIG. 6b, and FIG. 6 c) and the lifetime management table 329, 169, 229 (FIG. 5a to FIG. 5 d, FIG. 6 b, and FIG. 6 c). The form in which the managementcomputer 500 collects the lifetime information from eachapparatus/device will be explained below. However, a form in which someof the computers 300, 300′ for the integral apparatus 10, 10′ collectsthe lifetime information in the integral apparatus 10, 10′ and thennotifies the management computer 500 of the collected information mayalso be used.

In this case, the lifetime collecting program 328 (FIG. 5 b) is executedon the computers 300, 300′ for the integral apparatus 10, 10′ and thenthe apparatus-to-be-removed selecting program 521 (FIG. 5 e) for themanagement computer 500 collects all the pieces of the lifetimeinformation about the integral apparatus 10, 10′ together from thelifetime collecting program 328. Also, as shown in FIG. 7 b, a dedicatedmanagement computer 501 for the integral apparatus 10, 10′ may beprovided within the integral apparatus 10, 10′. In this case, thelifetime information collecting program is executed on the managementcomputer 501 for the integral apparatus 10, 10′ and theapparatus-to-be-removed selecting program 521 for the managementcomputer 500 collects all the pieces of lifetime information about theintegral apparatus together from the lifetime information collectingprogram 328.

FIG. 9 a and FIG. 9 b show configuration examples for internalconfiguration information about the integral apparatus 10, 10′. FIG. 9 acorresponds to the integral apparatus 10 and FIG. 9 b corresponds to theintegral apparatus 10′. The integral apparatus 10, 10′ has the integralapparatus internal configuration information 404 (FIG. 4 c) whichretains a connection relationship between apparatuses/devices in theintegral apparatus 10, 10′. In this embodiment, the integral apparatusinternal configuration information table 163 (FIG. 5 c, FIG. 6 c) andthe integral apparatus internal configuration information report program162 (FIG. 5 c, FIG. 6 c) are located in the storage apparatus 100, 100′.The integral apparatus internal configuration information table 163 andthe integral apparatus internal configuration information report program162 may be located in the computer 300, 300′ or in the connecting device200. Furthermore, the management computer 501 may be provided in theintegral apparatus 10, 10′ as shown in FIG. 7 b and the managementcomputer 501 may have the integral apparatus internal configurationinformation table 163 and the integral apparatus internal configurationinformation report program 162.

The integral apparatus internal configuration information 404 containsinformation such as topology information about the types and connectionforms of the connecting device 200, the computers 300, 300′, and thestorage apparatuses 100, 100′ which constitute the integral apparatus10, 10′; the type of the connecting device 200, the number of mountedcomponents in the connecting device 200, and the number of connectionsof the connecting device 200 with external connecting devices; thenormalized computer power of the computers 300, 300′; and the storagecapacity of the storage apparatus(es) 100, 100′.

Regarding processing power of the computers 300, 300′, the totalthroughput of all the computers 300, 300′ belonging to the integralapparatus 10, 10′ (the total throughput of the four computers 300, 300′in FIG. 9 a and FIG. 9 b) is managed as the normalized computer power.So, computer power size differences between the integral apparatuses 10,10′ can be found by, for example, comparing the total normalizedcomputer power of the computers 300, 300′ in an integral apparatus 10,10′ with that of another integral apparatus 10, 10′.

Furthermore, regarding the storage capacity of the storage apparatus100, 100′, a total storage capacity of all the storage apparatuses 100,100′ included in the integral apparatus 10, 10′ is managed. So, storagecapacity size differences between the integral apparatuses 10, 10′ canbe compared by, for example, comparing the storage capacity of a storageapparatus 100, 100′ in the integral apparatus internal configurationinformation 404 about a certain integral apparatus 10, 10′ with thestorage capacity of another integral apparatus 10, 10′.

Accordingly, the resource status between the integral apparatuses 10,10′ can be easily compared by using the integral apparatus internalconfiguration information 404. So, when considering addition or removalof an integral apparatus 10, 10′ as a unit to or from the computersystem as described in this embodiment, calculation of a resourceincrease/decrease will be facilitated. In other words, the integralapparatus 10, 10′ can be considered to be a unit managed by either thetotal amount of normalized computer power or the total amount ofresources in the integral apparatus 10, 10′, or both of them, as shownin the integral apparatus internal configuration information 404 aboutthe integral apparatus 10, 10′.

The migration plan designing program 522 (FIG. 5 e) and theapparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 523 (FIG. 5 e) for themanagement computer 500 collect the integral apparatus internalconfiguration information 404 from the storage apparatuses 100, 100′ ineach integral apparatus 10, 10′ and stores it in the integral apparatusinternal configuration information retaining table 531 (FIG. 5 e).

FIG. 10 shows an example of connection information between the integralapparatuses 10, 10′. The migration plan designing program 522 for themanagement computer 500 always monitors an addition of a new integralapparatus 10, 10′ to the computer system. If the migration plandesigning program 524 detects that a new integral apparatus 10, 10′ isconnected to the computer system, it obtains the integral apparatusinternal configuration information 404 from all the integral apparatuses10, 10′, including the newly added integral apparatus, and updates theinter-integral-apparatus connection information 411 (FIG. 4 c) retainedby the management computer 500. FIG. 10 shows that the connecting device50 is connected to two integral apparatuses 10, 10′ and the number ofconnections with each integral apparatus 10, 10′ is four.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration example for the connecting pathinformation 410 (see FIG. 4 c). The management computer 500 retains theconnecting path information 410, which shows the relationship betweenvirtual computers 322 (FIG. 5 b, FIG. 6 b) executed on the computers300, 300′ for the integral apparatus 10, 10′ and storage areas used bythe virtual computers 322, in the connecting path information retainingtable 533 (see FIG. 5 e). Since a unique identification number isassigned to each of the virtual computers 322 and the storage areasaccording to this embodiment, each virtual computer 322 or each storagearea can be uniquely identified. For example, FIG. 11 shows that avirtual computer 322 numbered “30001” is being executed on a computer300 numbered “300a” and is using a storage area numbered “10001” in astorage apparatus 100 numbered “100.” FIG. 11 also shows that, forexample, a virtual computer 322 numbered “31007” is being executed on acomputer 300′ numbered “300′c” and is using a storage area numbered“10007” in the storage apparatus 100 numbered “100.” A latency policycan be added to the connecting path information 410.

Regarding the connecting path information 410 shown in FIG. 11, alatency policy for each of a virtual computer 322 numbered “30009” and avirtual computer 322 numbered “31009” is designated as “within theintegral apparatus.” If the latency policy is designated as “within theintegral apparatus,” a storage area to be used by the relevant virtualcomputer 322 needs to be prepared in the storage apparatus 100, 100′ forthe same integral apparatus 10, 10′ as the integral apparatus 10, 10′where the computer 300, 300′ on which the relevant virtual computer 322is to be executed exists. If the virtual computer 322 and the storagearea are provided in the same integral apparatus 10, 10′, the virtualcomputer 322 can access the storage area without the intermediary of theconnecting device 50, thereby preventing growth of latency and improvingthe performance. Therefore, the latency policy “within the integralapparatus” is designated for the virtual computer 322 which executes aprocess requiring response performance. The latency policy can bedesignated from the management computer 500.

Furthermore, the latency policy may be based on whether the virtualcomputer 322 and the storage area exist close to each other or not. Theexpression “close” herein used possibly means, for example, a physicalconfiguration indicating how many devices exist from the computer 300,300′ or the storage apparatus 100, 100′, on which the virtual computer322 or the storage area serving as the basis operates, to anothervirtual computer 322 or storage apparatus 100, 100′, or a managementunit (management range) of the management computer 500.

FIG. 12 shows a configuration example for the utilization rateinformation 412 (see FIG. 4 c). The management computer 500 regularlyobtains a load on the virtual computers 322 and the storage areas andstores and retains the course of load acquisition on the basis of dataprocessing in the utilization rate information retaining table 534 (FIG.5 e). Also, the management computer 500 regularly obtains the usedcapacity of the storage areas and stores and retains the course of usedcapacity acquisition in the utilization rate information retaining table534.

For example, FIG. 12 shows that data processing numbered “90000” isbeing executed by process numbered “90001” on a virtual computer 322numbered “30009.” FIG. 12 also shows that the management computer 500obtains CPU load factors of the virtual computers 322 and the usedcapacities of the storage areas every minute. Incidentally, if the CPUload factor increases, the management computer 500 increases thenormalized computer power allocated to the virtual computer 322 numbered“30009,” thereby improving the data processing performance.

FIG. 12 also shows that data processing numbered “91000” is beingexecuted by a process numbered “91001” on a virtual computer 322numbered “30001.” FIG. 12 also shows that the management computer 500obtains a CPU load factor of a virtual computer 322 numbered “30001” anda utilization rate of a storage area numbered “10001” every minute. Ifthe CPU load factor increases, the management computer 500 creates a newvirtual computer 322 numbered “30002” and a new storage area numbered“10002,” activates a process numbered “91002” on the virtual computer322 numbered “30002,” and executes the data processing sequencesconcurrently, thereby improving data processing performance.

Since an improvement rate of the normalized computer power and animprovement rate of the storage capacity can be recognized for each dataprocessing sequence by using the utilization rate information 412, it ispossible to recognize the total normalized computer power and the totalstorage capacity of the storage areas which will be required in thefuture.

FIG. 13 a to FIG. 13 e show configuration examples for the internalconfiguration information about an integral apparatus to be introduced421 (see FIG. 4 c). The management computer 500 obtains the internalconfiguration information about an integral apparatus to be introduced421 through, for example, the Internet. The internal configurationinformation about an integral apparatus to be introduced 421 is theintegral apparatus connection information (FIG. 4 c) about an integralapparatus that can be supplied by a vendor. As a result, theapparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522 for the managementcomputer 500 (FIG. 5 e) selects an integral apparatus to be introducednext based on this internal configuration information about an integralapparatus to be introduced 421.

FIG. 13 a shows a configuration example for the internal configurationinformation about an integral apparatus to be introduced 421 with regardto the integral apparatus 11 described with reference to FIG. 1. Thisexample shows that the integral apparatus 11 is constituted from twocomputers 300 and two storage apparatuses 100 and the total storagecapacity of the storage apparatuses 100 is 200 TB. FIG. 13 b shows aconfiguration example for the internal configuration information aboutan integral apparatus to be introduced 421 with regard to the integralapparatus 12 described with reference to FIG. 1. This example shows thatthe integral apparatus 12 is constituted from four computers 300 and onestorage apparatus 100 and the storage capacity of the storage apparatus100 is 100 TB.

FIG. 13 c is a configuration example for the internal configurationinformation about an integral apparatus to be introduced 421 with regardto the integral apparatus 13 described with reference to FIG. 1. Thisexample shows that the integral apparatus 13 is constituted from eightcomputers 300 and one storage apparatus 100 and the storage capacity ofthe storage apparatus 100 is 10 TB. FIG. 13 d is a configuration examplefor the internal configuration information about an integral apparatusto be introduced 421 with regard to the integral apparatus 14 describedwith reference to FIG. 1. This example shows that the integral apparatus14 is constituted from sixteen computers 300. Since the integralapparatus 14 does not have a storage apparatus 100, it has no storagecapacity.

Furthermore, FIG. 13 e is a configuration example for the internalconfiguration information about an integral apparatus to be introduced421 with regard to the integral apparatus 15 described with reference toFIG. 1. This example shows that the integral apparatus 15 is constitutedfrom only one storage apparatus 100 and the storage capacity of thestorage apparatus 100 is 400 TB. As described above, the integralapparatus 15 is not an integral apparatus in a strict sense; however,since the integral apparatus 15 is treated in the same manner as otherintegral apparatuses 11 to 14, it is treated as an integral apparatus.

The apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 523 for the managementcomputer 500 (FIG. 5 e) collects the internal configuration informationabout an integral apparatus to be introduced 421 via, for example, theInternet and stores and retains it in the internal configurationinformation retaining table for an integral apparatus to be introduced535 (FIG. 5 e). Incidentally, the type of a vendor and information to beprovided about costs (not shown in the drawing) may be included in theinternal configuration information about an integral apparatus to beintroduced 421.

FIG. 14 shows a configuration example for the extension plan information430 (see FIG. 4 c). The system administrator can input the extensionplan information 430 by using an input means of the management computer500. The extension plan information 430 is information indicating a planto introduce a new integral apparatus and locate new virtual computers322 and storage areas. FIG. 14 shows that new “50” combinations ofvirtual computers 322 and storage areas, whose normalized computer poweris “4,” storage capacity is “1 TB,” and latency policy is “none,” andnew “8” combinations of virtual computers 322 and storage areas, whosenormalized computer power is “16,” storage capacity is “2 TB,” andlatency policy is “within the integral apparatus,” are required. Theapparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522 for the managementcomputer 500 (FIG. 5 e) stores and retains the extension planinformation 430, which has been input by the system administrator, inthe extension plan information retaining table 536 (FIG. 5 e).

FIG. 15 shows a processing sequence for apparatus-to-be-removedselecting processing executed by the apparatus-to-be-removed selectingprogram 521.

The apparatus-to-be-removed selecting program 521 collects the lifetimeinformation 401 (FIG. 4 a) from all the computers 300, 300′, the storageapparatuses 100, 100′, and the connecting device 200 (step 1510) andperforms lifetime judgment for each integral apparatus (step 1520).

Specifically speaking, if a large number of apparatuses/devices whoseoperating time exceeds their specified apparatus lifetime or specifiedoperating time exist in an integral apparatus (for example, 80% or moreof the apparatuses/devices in the relevant integral apparatus), it isdecided by the lifetime judgment that the relevant integral apparatushas reached the end of its lifetime and is a candidate to be removed.For example, if the lifetime information collected from eachapparatus/device in the integral apparatus 10′ is as shown in FIG. 8,the actual operating time exceeds the specified operating time.Therefore, the integral apparatus 10′ is a candidate to be removed fromthe computer system 1 show in FIG. 7 a and FIG. 7 b. Whether or not thespecified apparatus lifetime has passed since the operation start dateand time may be checked by comparing the specified apparatus lifetimewith the length of time that has elapsed since the operation start dateand time until the current date and time indicated by the timer 540(FIG. 5 e) provided in the management computer 500. However, if theoperating time of any one of the apparatuses/devices (the connectingdevice 200 in particular) in the integral apparatus exceeds thespecified apparatus lifetime or the specified operating time, therelevant integral apparatus may be considered to have reached the end ofits lifetime and to be a candidate to be removed.

Next, after deciding the integral apparatus to be a candidate to beremoved (hereinafter referred to as the “integral apparatus 10”) by thelifetime judgment in step 1520, the apparatus-to-be-removed selectingprogram 521 activates the apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program522 (step 1530); and then terminates this apparatus-to-be-removedselecting processing.

FIG. 16 shows a processing sequence for apparatus-to-be-introducedselecting processing executed by the apparatus-to-be-introducedselecting program 522 activated in step 1530 in theapparatus-to-be-removed selecting processing.

The apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522 firstly refers tothe connecting path information 410 (FIG. 4 c) retained in theconnecting path information retaining table 533 (FIG. 5 e) and extractsa virtual computer(s) 322 and a storage area(s) included in the integralapparatus 10′ to be removed (step 1610).

Next, the apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522 obtainsassumed period information (step 1615). The assumed period informationmay be input by the system administrator by using the input means of themanagement computer 500 or may be set to the management computer 500 inadvance. The assumed period information is a time interval at which thecomputer system 1 should be reviewed regularly; and, for example, aperiod of time such as six months, one year, 4380 hours, or 8760 hoursis applied as the assumed period information.

Subsequently, the apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522refers to the utilization rate information 412 (FIG. 4 c) stored in theutilization rate information retaining table 534 (FIG. 5 e) and theassumed period information and calculates the normalized computer powerthat will be required for the whole computer system 1 within the assumedperiod (step 1620). The normalized computer power which will be requiredwithin the assumed period is calculated as the sum of the normalizedcomputer power for individual data processing processes that areobtained by the following formula where IR_(P) represents an improvementrate of the normalized computer power for a data processing process, Trepresents the assumed period, and CP represents the current normalizedcomputer power for the relevant data processing process: (Math. 1)

IR _(P) ×T+CP  (1)

Then, the apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522 refers to theutilization rate information 412 (FIG. 4 c) stored in the utilizationrate information retaining table 534 (FIG. 5 e) and the assumed periodinformation and calculates the storage area capacity that will berequired for the whole computer system 1 within the assumed period (step1630). The storage area capacity which will be required within theassumed period is calculated as the sum of the storage area capacitiesfor individual storage areas that are obtained by the following formulawhere IR_(C) represents an improvement rate of the storage capacity of astorage area, T represents the assumed period, and CC represents thecurrent storage capacity of the relevant storage area: (Math. 2)

IR _(C) ×T+CC  (2)

Next, the apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522 subtracts thetotal normalized computer power of the integral apparatus to be removedfrom the total normalized computer power for the computer system whichwill be required within the assumed period as obtained in step 1620(step 1640).

Furthermore, the apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522subtracts the total storage capacity of the integral apparatus to beremoved from the storage area capacity of the computer system 1 whichwill be required within the assumed period as obtained in step 1630(step 1650).

Subsequently, the apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522selects an integral apparatus to be introduced based on the internalconfiguration information about an integral apparatus to be introduced421 (FIG. 4 c) stored in the internal configuration informationretaining table for an integral apparatus to be introduced 535 (FIG. 5e) as well as the normalized computer power and the storage capacitywhich will become deficient due to the removal of the integral apparatus(step 1660).

Next, the apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522 creates theintroduced apparatus information 431 (FIG. 4 c) and presents the createdintroduced apparatus information 431 to the system administrator bymeans of an output means of the management computer 500 (step 1670).

Regarding the processing shown in FIG. 16, a latency policy may beconsidered in selecting the integral apparatus to be introduced in step1660. If the latency policy “within the integral apparatus” isdesignated, the storage area to be used by the virtual computer 322 isto be located in the storage apparatus 100, 100′ of the same integralapparatus as the integral apparatus where the computer 300, 300′ onwhich the virtual computer 322 is executed exists. Therefore, even ifother integral apparatuses have an extra storage capacity, if there isno available normalized computer power, it is necessary to prepare a newstorage capacity. The apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522calculates the storage capacity in consideration of the above situation.

Furthermore, the extension plan information 430 (FIG. 4 c) may be usedby adding the next step when selecting the integral apparatus to beintroduced. Specifically speaking, input of the extension planinformation 430 by using the output means of the management computer 500is requested as step 1615. The system administrator inputs the extensionplan information 430. The input extension plan information 430 is storedand managed in the extension plan information retaining table 536 (FIG.5 e).

In this case, the processing in step 1620 and step 1630 will be changedrespectively as described below. Consequently, a virtual computer(s) andstorage capacity to be newly added will be considered in addition to theimprovement rate calculated from the utilization rate information whenselecting the integral apparatus to be introduced.

Specifically speaking, in step 1620, the apparatus-to-be-introducedselecting program 522 refers to the utilization rate information 412stored in the utilization rate information retaining table 534 (FIG. 5e), the assumed period information, and the extension plan information430 and calculates the normalized computer power for the whole computersystem 1 which will be required within the assumed period. Thenormalized computer power which will be required within the assumedperiod can be obtained by calculating the sum of all the data processingprocesses by adding the normalized computer power for an extended partof the relevant data processing process recognized by the extension planinformation 430 to the normalized computer power calculated according tothe formula (1) mentioned above for each individual data processingprocess.

In step 1630, the apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522refers to the utilization rate information 412 stored in the utilizationrate information retaining table 534, the assumed period information,and the extension plan information 430 and calculates the storage areacapacity of the whole computer system 1 which will be required withinthe assumed period. The storage area capacity which will be requiredwithin the assumed period can be obtained by calculating the sum of thestorage capacities of all the storage areas by adding the storagecapacity of an extended part of the relevant storage area recognized bythe extension plan information 430 to the storage capacity calculatedaccording to the formula (2) mentioned above for each individual storagearea.

FIGS. 17(A) and 17(B) show configuration examples for the connectivityguarantee information 420 (FIG. 4 c). The apparatus-to-be-introducedselecting program 522 (FIG. 5 e) may use the connectivity guaranteeinformation 420 obtained via the Internet 90 (FIG. 1) when selecting theintegral apparatus to be introduced. The management computer 500 retainsthe obtained connectivity guarantee information 420 in the connectivityguarantee information retaining table 538 (FIG. 5 e). Referring to FIG.17, “◯” represents that the connectivity is guaranteed; and “x”represents that the connectivity is not guaranteed. Accordingly, FIG. 17shows that the storage apparatus 100′ cannot be used by the computer 300(the connectivity is not guaranteed), but the storage apparatus 100″ canbe used by the computer 300 (the connectivity is guaranteed).

In this case, even if the integral apparatus to be introduced is theintegral apparatus 10, a computer is the computer 300, the integralapparatus 10′ exists in the computer system, and the storage apparatus100′ has an unused storage capacity, the computer 300 cannot use theunused storage capacity of the storage apparatus 100′, so that it isnecessary to prepare a new storage capacity for the computer 300. Theapparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program 522 calculates the storagecapacity in consideration of the above situation.

Specifically speaking, this connectivity guarantee information 420 isinformation indicating connectivity between a plurality of integralapparatuses (variations or series); and it is possible to find outwhether or not access between computers and storage apparatuses of anintroduced integral apparatus and computers and storage apparatuses ofan integral apparatus to be introduced can be made, by using theconnectivity guarantee information 420. Accordingly, this connectivityguarantee information 420 indicates the relationship between theintroduced integral apparatus and the integral apparatus to beintroduced and this information can be considered to bind the pluralityof integral apparatuses together and organize the plurality of integralapparatuses as variations or series.

FIG. 18 shows a processing sequence for migration plan designingprocessing executed by the migration plan designing program 523 (FIG. 5e).

The migration plan designing program 523 monitors connection of a newintegral apparatus to the computer system 1 (step 1810). If themigration plan designing program 523 then detects that a new integralapparatus is connected to the computer system 1, it proceeds to step1820. When detecting the connection of a new integral apparatus, forexample, an acquisition request for a network identifier (IP address)issued by each apparatus/device of the integral apparatus when the addedintegral apparatus is activated may be used.

Next, the migration plan designing program 523 obtains the integralapparatus internal configuration information 404 (FIG. 4 c) from eachintegral apparatus including the newly connected integral apparatus andupdates the inter-integral-apparatus connection information 411 (FIG. 4c) stored in the inter-integral-apparatus connection informationretaining table 532 (FIG. 5 e) in the management computer 500 based onthe obtained integral apparatus internal configuration information 404(step 1820).

Subsequently, the migration plan designing program 523 refers to theconnecting path information 410 (FIG. 4 c) stored in the connecting pathinformation retaining table 533 (FIG. 5 e) and extracts the virtualcomputer(s) 322 and the storage area(s) included in the integralapparatus 10′ to be removed (step 1830).

Furthermore, the migration plan designing program 523 decides amigration destination of the storage areas extracted in step 1830 byreferring to the utilization rate information 412 (FIG. 4 c) stored inthe utilization rate information retaining table 534 (FIG. 5 e) (step1840). The migration plan designing program 523 also decides a migrationdestination of the virtual computers 322 extracted in step 1830 byreferring to the utilization rate information 412 (step 1850).

Next, the migration plan designing program 523 refers to theinter-integral-apparatus connection information 411 (FIG. 4 c) anddesigns a migration plan for the storage areas. Since the storage areasare migrated between the integral apparatuses (copying of data in thestorage areas) via the connecting device 50, the number of storage areasto be migrated (copied) at the same time is limited, thereby inhibitingthe influence on the execution of other virtual computers 322. Thedesigned migration plan is stored in the migration plan retaining table537 (FIG. 5 e) (step 1860).

Subsequently, the migration plan designing program 523 refers to theinter-integral-apparatus connection information 411 and designs amigration plan 432 for the virtual computers 322 (step 1865). Since thevirtual computers 322 are migrated between the integral apparatuses(particularly, copying of memories for the virtual computers 322 wheninstantly migrating the virtual computers) via the connecting device 50,the number of the virtual computers 322 to be migrated (whose memoriesare to be copied) at the same time is limited, thereby inhibiting theinfluence on the execution of other virtual computers 322. The designedmigration plan is stored in the migration plan retaining table 537 (FIG.5 e).

Furthermore, the migration plan designing program 523 displays thedesigned migration plan on the output means of the management computer500 and seeks the system administrator's approval (step 1870). Themigration plan is intended to show the migration destination of eachvirtual computer 322 or storage area which is the migration source andindicate at which timing the migration should be started; and themigration plan is displayed on a screen of the management computer 500.Specifically speaking, the migration plan shows what date and time themigration of a virtual computer 322 operated on a computer for theintegral apparatus to be removed to a virtual computer for a newly addedor introduced integral apparatus should be started. Incidentally, themigration timing of the virtual computer 322 can be planned by avoidingtime when a large number of processes are executed or, in a case ofmigration processing with heavy transfer load accompanied with themigration due to a large data amount in the storage area, by shiftingtime of other migration processing. Furthermore, step 1870 may beomitted and the migration plan may be executed immediately afterdesigning the migration plan.

Specifically speaking, regarding the step in which the migrationdestination of the storage areas or the virtual computers 322 is decidedby referring to the aforementioned utilization rate information 412(FIG. 4 c), storage areas or virtual computers are judged as migrationdestination candidates in descending order of the size of the availablestorage areas or computer power. Also, since an improvement rate of thestorage area or computer power can be found by calculation usingchronological information (for example, first-order approximation), ifthe improvement rate is equal to or more than a predetermined value,efficient migration can be realized by reducing the rank of the relevantstorage area or virtual computer as the migration destination candidate.

Subsequently, the migration plan designing program 523 activates themigration plan execution program 524 (FIG. 5 e) (step 1880) and thenterminates this migration plan designing processing.

Incidentally, a latency policy may be considered when deciding themigration destination of the virtual computer in step 1850 of theabove-described migration plan designing processing. If the latencypolicy “within the integral apparatus” is designated, the storage areato be used by the virtual computer 322 needs to be located in a storageapparatus of the same integral apparatus as the integral apparatus wherea computer on which the relevant virtual computer 322 is executedexists. Therefore, the migration plan is designed so that the virtualcomputer 322 will be located in the computer for the same integralapparatus as the integral apparatus to which the relevant storage areais migrated.

Furthermore, the connectivity guarantee information 420 (FIG. 4 c)obtained via the Internet 90 may be used when deciding the migrationdestination of the virtual computer 322. Specifically speaking, ifconnectivity between the storage apparatus, which is the migrationdestination of the storage area as decided in step 1840, and thecomputer which is executing the virtual computer 322 at present is notguaranteed, the migration plan designing program 523 recognizes avirtual computer, whose connectivity will no longer be guaranteed due tomigration of the storage area, to be an object to be migrated anddecides the migration destination of the virtual computer by referringto the utilization rate information 412 in step 1850.

Meanwhile, FIG. 19 shows a processing sequence for migration planexecution processing executed by the migration plan execution program524 (FIG. 5 e).

The migration plan execution program 524 firstly starts processing formigrating the virtual computer(s) 322 and the storage area(s) accordingto the migration plan stored in the migration plan retaining table 537(FIG. 5 e) (step 1910).

If both the virtual computer 322 and the storage area are migrated, themigration plan execution program 524 temporarily stops the virtualcomputer 322 to be migrated (for example, the virtual computer 322operating on the computer for the integral apparatus to be removed) andthen gives an instruction to the data copy program 164 (FIG. 5 c) forthe integral apparatus to copy a storage area (for example, a storagearea of the storage apparatus for the integral apparatus to be removed)to a storage area of the migration destination (for example, a storagearea of a storage apparatus for a newly added integral apparatus).Subsequently, after receiving a copy completion notice from the datacopy program 164 for the storage apparatus, the migration plan executionprogram 524 resumes the virtual computer 322 on the computer of themigration destination (for example, the computer for the newly addedintegral apparatus) (step 1920) and then terminates this migration planexecution processing.

On the other hand, if only the storage area is to be migrated, themigration plan execution program 524 temporarily stops the virtualcomputer 322 and then gives an instruction to the data copy program 164for the storage apparatus to copy the storage area to a storage area ofthe migration destination. Subsequently, after receiving a copycompletion notice from the data copy program 164 for the storageapparatus, the migration plan execution program 524 resumes the virtualcomputer 322 (step 1930) and then terminates this migration planexecution processing.

On the other hand, if only the virtual computer 322 is to be migrated,the migration plan execution program 524 temporarily stops the virtualcomputer 322 and then resumes the virtual computer 322 on the computerfor the migration destination (step 1940), and then terminates thismigration plan execution processing.

Incidentally, in step 1920, step 1930, and step 1940 of theabove-described migration plan execution processing, processing of thevirtual computer 322 is suspended while the storage apparatus is copyingdata from the migration source storage area to the migration destinationstorage area. However, in order to execute the virtual computer 322 evenduring copying, it is necessary to enable the execution of access to thestorage areas during copying of the storage area.

If data reading to the migration destination storage area occursaccording to this embodiment and copying to the migration destinationstorage area has not been completed, the data is read from the migrationsource storage area and transferred to the virtual computer 322; and ifdata writing to the migration destination storage area occurs, the datais written to both the migration destination storage area and themigration source storage area. As a result of the above-describedprocessing, the virtual computer 322 can be resumed without waiting forthe completion of copying. Therefore, stop time of the virtual computer322 can be reduced.

If a storage area is migrated to a different storage apparatus duringthe above-described migration plan execution processing, a new storagearea is created in the migration destination storage apparatus and datais copied from the storage area of the migration source storageapparatus in many cases. In this case, the new storage area created inthe migration destination storage apparatus will have a newidentification number (for example, a combination of a new Fibre ChannelWWN and an LUN). If the identification number of the storage area ischanged after resuming the temporarily stopped virtual computer 322, itis impossible to find the storage area, so that the resumption of thevirtual computer 322 may fail. Therefore, if the identification numberis changed, the migration plan execution program 524 sets a newidentification number of the migration destination to the connectingdevice 200 and the virtual computer 322; and after setting the newidentification number, the migration plan execution program 524 resumesthe virtual computer 322. As a result, the virtual computer 322 can findthe storage area after migration.

Furthermore, some storage apparatus has a function that has themigration destination of a different storage apparatus take over theidentification number of the migration source storage area. So, if thestorage apparatus has a function taking over the identification number,the migration plan execution program 524 may be equipped with a functionexecuting the migration of the storage area which takes over theidentification number. As a result, the processing for setting theidentification number to the connecting device 200 and the virtualcomputer 322 may be omitted when resuming the virtual computer 322.

Furthermore, if copying between the storage areas is not supportedbetween the migration source storage apparatus and the migrationdestination storage apparatus, the migration plan execution program 524may search for a computer capable of accessing both the migration sourcestorage apparatus and the migration destination storage apparatus andexecute the data copy program on that computer.

In this case, the data copy program 164 reads data from the migrationsource storage area and writes the data to the migration destinationstorage area. After the completion of data copying, the data copyprogram 164 reports the termination of copying to the migration planexecution program 524. After receiving the copying termination report,the migration plan execution program 524 deletes the data copy program164 from the computer. Incidentally, in this case, the migration planexecution program 524 may execute a plurality of data copy programsaccording to the migration plan.

If the virtual computer execution program 321 (FIG. 5 b) includes thedata copy program, the migration plan execution program 524 may use thedata copy program included in the virtual computer execution program321.

(2) Second Embodiment

The first embodiment has described the case where a storage area isdirectly accessed from the virtual computer 322. This embodiment willdescribed migration in another connection form.

FIG. 20 shows a computer system constructed by using four integralapparatuses 10 according to this embodiment and FIG. 21 shows aconfiguration example for the connecting path information 410 (FIG. 4 c)in this computer system.

A virtual computer 32001 on a computer 300 aa uses a storage area 13001in a storage apparatus 100 c via a virtual computer 33001 on a computer300 ca and a storage area 13002 in a storage apparatus 100 b via avirtual computer 33002 on a computer 300 bb. In this embodiment, twovirtual computers in one tier are used between the virtual computer32001 and the storage areas, but this embodiment can be implemented withthe configuration of m virtual computers in n tiers (where “n” and “m”are arbitrary). The virtual computers located between the virtualcomputer 32001 and the storage areas may perform a file service such asNFS or CIFS. Consequently, the virtual computer 32001 will be able towrite data to the storage areas 13001, 13002 according to NFS or CIFSprotocol. Alternatively, Web servers may be executed. As a result, thevirtual computer 32001 can assign the processing to a number of Webservers and thereby distribute processing load of enormous amounts ofWeb processing.

If the integral apparatus 10 a is to be removed and an integralapparatus 10 d is to be added with respect to the connecting pathinformation 410 shown in FIG. 21, the migration plan designing program523 designs a migration plan to, for example, migrate the virtualcomputer 32001, which is being executed on the integral apparatus 10 ato be removed, to the integral apparatus 10 d to be added. The migrationplan execution program 524 temporarily stops the virtual computer 32001and then resumes the virtual computer 32001 on a computer for theintegral apparatus 10 d which is the migration destination.

A coexistence policy can be set in this embodiment. If a policy stating“coexistence impossible” is designated as the coexistence policy, themigration plan designing program 523 designs a migration plan so thatthe virtual computer 32001, the virtual computer 33001, and the virtualcomputer 33002 will be executed on different integral apparatuses.Incidentally, if the coexistence policy is set, whether the coexistenceshould be made impossible on an integral apparatus basis or on acomputer basis may be set to be selectable; and the details of thecoexistence policy may be described such as “coexistence within thecomputer is impossible” or “coexistence within the integral apparatus isimpossible.”

Furthermore, if the integral apparatus 10 b is to be removed and theintegral apparatus 10 d is to be added with respect to the connectingpath information 410 shown in FIG. 21, the migration plan designingprogram 523 designs a migration plan to, for example, migrate thevirtual computer 33002, which is being executed in the integralapparatus 10 b to be removed, to the integral apparatus 10 d to be addedand migrate the storage area 13002 for the integral apparatus 10 b to beremoved to the integral apparatus 10 d to be added.

Then, the migration plan execution program 524 temporarily stops thevirtual computer 33002; and the migration plan execution program 524creates a new storage area (the storage area 13012) in the migrationdestination storage apparatus 100 d and gives an instruction to thestorage apparatus 100 b to copy data. After receiving a copy completionnotice, the migration plan execution program 524 resumes the virtualcomputer 33002 on a computer for the integral apparatus 10 d which isthe migration destination. The migration execution plan program 524 maygive an instruction to the virtual computer 32001 to temporarily stopaccess to the virtual computer 33002 while migrating the virtualcomputer 33002. In this case, the virtual computer 32001 assigns accessto another virtual computer (the virtual computer 33001).

(3) Third Embodiment

This embodiment will describe migration in a form where another storageapparatus is connected via a storage apparatus.

FIG. 22 shows a computer system constituted from four integralapparatuses 10 according to this embodiment and FIG. 23 shows aconfiguration example for the connecting path information 410 accordingto this embodiment.

A virtual computer 34001 on a computer 300 ba uses a storage area 14001in a storage apparatus 100 b and a storage area 14012 in a storageapparatus 100 a via a virtual storage area 14002 in the storageapparatus 100 b. The storage apparatus 100 can use the capacity of otherstorage apparatuses by means of the external storage apparatus accessprogram 161.

Data written to the virtual storage area 14002 is actually written tothe storage area 14012 in the storage apparatus 100 a by the externalstorage apparatus access program 161. Also, regarding data reading fromthe virtual storage area 14002, data is actually read from the storagearea 14012 in the storage apparatus 100 a and transferred to the virtualcomputer. Response time will vary between a case of access to thestorage apparatus 14001 from the virtual computer 34001 and a case ofaccess to the storage apparatus 14002.

If the integral apparatus 10 a is to be removed and the integralapparatus 10 d is to be added with respect to the connecting pathinformation shown in FIG. 23, the migration plan designing program 523designs a migration plan to, for example, migrate the storage area 14012in the integral apparatus 10 a to be removed to the integral apparatus10 d to be added. The migration plan execution program 524 creates a newstorage area (which will be the storage area 14013) in the migrationdestination storage apparatus 100 d and gives an instruction to copydata to the data copy program 164 for the storage apparatus 100 b.Incidentally, since the storage apparatus 100 b can recognize thestorage apparatuses 100 a, 100 d, it is assumed that the storageapparatus 100 b has the copy program 164.

After receiving a copy completion notice, the migration plan executionprogram 524 notifies the storage apparatus 100 b of a change of thestorage area. The storage apparatus 100 b which has received the changenotice connects the virtual storage area 14002 to the storage area14013. The migration plan designing program 523 updates the connectingpath information. The storage area 14012 can be migrated withouttemporarily stopping the virtual computer 34001 by using the virtualstorage area 14002.

Incidentally, in order to continue executing the virtual computer duringcopying, it is necessary to make it possible to access the virtualstorage area even during copying of the storage area. If data reading tothe migration destination storage area occurs and copying to themigration destination storage area has not been completed, the relevantdata is read from the migration source storage area and transferred tothe virtual computer. If data writing to the migration destinationstorage area occurs, the relevant data is written to both the migrationdestination storage area and the migration source storage area. As aresult of the above-described processing, it is possible to continueexecuting the virtual computer even during copying.

A storage tier policy can be set in this embodiment. If “Tier1” isdesignated as the storage tier policy, the migration plan designingprogram 523 designs a migration plan to migrate the storage area to anintegral apparatus in which the virtual computer is being executed. If“Tier2” is designated as the storage tier policy, the migration plandesigning program 523 designs a migration plan to migrate the storagearea to a storage apparatus in an integral apparatus different from theintegral apparatus in which the virtual computer 322 is being executed.Designation of “Tier2” as the storage tier policy can broaden optionsfor the migration destination and improve the utilization rate ofsurplus storage capacity in the computer system.

Furthermore, a connecting path may be changed as triggered by migration.If the integral apparatus 10 a is to be removed and the integralapparatus 10 d is to be added with respect to the path information 410shown in FIG. 23, the migration plan designing program 523 designs amigration plan to, for example, migrate the storage area 14012 in theintegral apparatus 10 a to be removed 10 a to the integral apparatus 10d to be added.

Furthermore, the migration plan execution program 524 temporarily stopsthe virtual computer 322 to be migrated, creates a new storage area(which will be the storage area 14013) in the migration destinationstorage apparatus 100 d, and gives an instruction to the storageapparatus 100 d to copy data to the storage apparatus 100 d. Afterreceiving a copy completion notice, the migration plan execution program524 makes the setting so that the connecting device and the virtualcomputer 34001 will use the storage area 14013 instead of the storagearea 14002; and after making the setting, the migration plan executionprogram 524 resumes the virtual computer 322. Incidentally, if thestorage apparatus 100 d can take over the identification number of themigration source storage area, the identification number of the storageapparatus 100 b may be assigned to the storage area newly created in thestorage apparatus 100 d. If the identification number is assigned,processing for setting the identification number to the connectingdevice 200 and the virtual computer 322 may be omitted when resuming thevirtual computer 322.

(4) Fourth Embodiment

This embodiment will describe a change of a connecting path by using theconnectivity guarantee information 420 (FIG. 4 c).

FIG. 24 shows a computer system constituted from four integralapparatuses 10 according to this embodiment and FIG. 25 shows aconfiguration example for the connecting path information 410 accordingto this embodiment. Also, FIGS. 26( a) and 26(b) show configurationexamples for the connectivity guarantee information 420 according tothis embodiment.

A virtual computer 35001 on a computer 300 ba uses a storage area 15001in a storage apparatus 300 a. The following explanation will be givenabout a case where an integral apparatus 10 a is removed and an integralapparatus 10 d is added with regard to the connecting path information410 shown in FIG. 25. In this case, the migration plan designing program523 (FIG. 5 e) refers to the connectivity guarantee information 420. Ifa storage area is created in the storage apparatus 100 d, connectivitybetween the computer 300 b and the storage apparatus 100 d is notguaranteed according to the connectivity guarantee information 420 shownin FIG. 26. Therefore, the computer 300 b cannot be used. However, sinceconnectivity between the computer 300 b and the storage apparatus 100 bis guaranteed, the computer 300 b can be used. Also, connectivitybetween the storage apparatus 100 b and the storage apparatus 100 d isguaranteed. In this case, the migration plan designing program 523designs the following migration plan.

Specifically speaking, the migration plan designing program 523 firstlycreates a new storage area 15012 in the storage apparatus 100 d andcopies data of the storage area 15001. The migration plan designingprogram 523 then creates a new virtual storage area 15002 in the storageapparatus 100 b and connects it with the storage area 15012 (by usingthe external storage apparatus access program 161).

Subsequently, the migration plan designing program 523 makes the settingso that the connecting device and the virtual computer 35001 will usethe storage area 14013 instead of the storage area 14002; and aftermaking the setting, the migration plan designing program 523 resumes thevirtual computer 322. Incidentally, if the storage apparatus 100 b cantake over the identification number of the migration source storagearea, the identification number of the storage apparatus 100 b may beassigned to the storage area newly created in the storage apparatus 100d. If the identification number is assigned, it is unnecessary toperform processing for setting the identification number to the virtualcomputer 322 when resuming the connecting device 200 and the virtualcomputer 322.

As a result of the above-described configuration and processing, anintegral apparatus to be added or introduced can be automaticallyselected when sequentially updating an old integral apparatus to a newone in a computer system constructed by using integral apparatuses.Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load imposed on the person incharge of operation or the system administrator. Furthermore, thevirtual computer and the storage area can be automatically migrated whenadding and introducing an integral apparatus or removing an oldapparatus. So, it is possible to reduce the load imposed on the personin charge of operation or the system administrator.

(5) Fifth Embodiment

This embodiment will describe a case where an integral computer isconstructed by using a connecting device, a storage apparatus, andblade-type computers (hereinafter simply referred to as the “bladecomputers”).

FIG. 27 shows a configuration example for an integral apparatus in whichthe integral apparatus is constructed by using blade computers ascomputers 301. The blade computers 301 are stored in a blade computerstorage chassis 390 and incorporated into the integral apparatus. Inthis situation, only the blade computer chassis 390 which does not storeany blade computer 301 may be stored.

FIG. 28 shows the configuration of the blade computer 301 and the bladecomputer storage chassis 390. The blade computer 301 is connected to theconnecting device 50 in the integral apparatus via a connecting device309 in the blade computer storage chassis 390. However, each bladecomputer 301 in the blade computer storage chassis 390 may be directlyconnected to the connecting device 50 without using the connectingdevice 309.

If the management computer 500 detects that a new blade computer 301 isconnected to the blade computer storage chassis 390, it updates theintegral apparatus internal configuration information 404 (FIG. 4 c)about that integral apparatus. When implementing this embodiment, theconfiguration in which the management computer 501 is provided withinthe integral apparatus as shown in FIG. 7 b is favorable. The managementcomputer 501 in the integral apparatus updates the integral apparatusinternal configuration information 404 and notifies the managementcomputer 500 of a configuration change.

(6) Other Embodiments

Incidentally, each processing sequence shown in the first to fifthembodiments described above can be implemented by hardware as aprocessing unit for executing such processing sequence by means offormation of integrated circuits. Programs may be stored in advance in astorage apparatus in a computer or in an external storage apparatus orbe introduced to the external storage apparatus, whenever needed, viaattachable/detachable storage media or communication media (such as awired, radio, optical, or other network, or a carrier wave or a digitalsignal on the network).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

This invention can be used in a wide variety of computer systemsequipped with integral apparatuses.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10 to 14 Integral apparatuses-   50 Connecting device-   100 Storage apparatus-   101 SSD-   200 Connecting device-   300 Computer-   322 Virtual computer-   401 Lifetime information-   404 Integral apparatus internal configuration information-   410 Connecting path information-   411 Inter-integral-apparatus connection information-   412 Utilization rate information-   420 Connectivity guarantee information-   421 Internal configuration information about an integral apparatus    to be introduced-   430 Extension plan information-   431 Introduced apparatus information-   432 Migration plan    -   500 Management computer-   501 Management computer-   521 Apparatus-to-be-removed selecting program-   522 Apparatus-to-be-introduced selecting program-   523 Migration plan designing program-   524 Migration plan execution program-   530 Lifetime information retaining table-   531 Integral apparatus internal configuration information retaining    table-   532 Inter-integral-apparatus connection information retaining table-   533 Connecting path information retaining table-   534 Utilization rate information retaining table-   535 Internal configuration information retaining table for an    integral apparatus to be introduced-   536 Extension plan information retaining table-   537 Migration plan retaining table-   538 Connectivity guarantee information retaining table

1. A management computer for managing a computer system comprising: ahigh-level connecting device coupled to the management computer; and anintegral apparatus coupled to the high-level connecting device, whereinthe integral apparatus comprises: a computer for executing variousprocessing sequences according to implemented application software; astorage apparatus from or to which the computer reads or writes data;and a low-level connecting device for connecting the computer, thestorage apparatus and the high-level connecting device, wherein themanagement computer stores integral apparatus connection informationindicating a connection between integral apparatuses and is configuredto: obtain an integral apparatus internal configuration information of anew integral apparatus to the computer system, the integral apparatusinternal configuration information indicating a configuration of theintegral apparatus; update the integral apparatus connection informationby referring to the integral apparatus internal configurationinformation; design a migration plan by referring to the integralapparatus connection information, the migration plan indicating that avirtual machine operated on the computer and a storage area of thestorage apparatus are to be introduced into or removed from the computersystem; and output the migration plan.
 2. The management computeraccording to claim 1, wherein the management computer further comprisesutilization rate information and is configured to decide a migrationdestination of the virtual machine and the storage area by referring tothe utilization rate information.
 3. The management computer accordingto claim 2, wherein the management computer is further configured toseek a system administrators approval with the outputted migration plan.4. The management computer according to claim 3, wherein the managementcomputer is further configured to monitor connection of the new integralapparatus to the computer system and after detecting the connection ofnew integral apparatus, proceed to obtain the integral apparatusinternal configuration information.
 5. The management computer accordingto claim 4, wherein the migration plan includes a time of the migrationof each virtual machine and storage area.
 6. The management computeraccording to claim 5, wherein the migration plan includes a sequence ofthe migration of each virtual machine and storage area.
 7. Themanagement computer according to claim 6, wherein the sequence of themigration is in an order corresponding to an available resource of thevirtual machine and storage area.
 8. The management computer accordingto claim 7, wherein the order of the sequence of the migration furthercorresponds to an improvement rate of the available resource of thevirtual machine and storage area.
 9. A method for renewing a computersystem comprising: a management computer; a high-level connecting devicecoupled to the management computer; and an integral apparatus coupled tothe high-level connecting device, wherein the integral apparatuscomprises: a computer for executing various processing sequencesaccording to implemented application software; a storage apparatus fromor to which the computer reads or writes data; and a low-levelconnecting device for connecting the computer, the storage apparatus,and the high-level connecting device, wherein the management computerstores integral apparatus connection information indicating a connectionbetween integral apparatuses, the method comprising the steps of:obtaining an integral apparatus internal configuration information of anew integral apparatus to the computer system, the integral apparatusinternal configuration information indicating a configuration of theintegral apparatus; updating the integral apparatus connectioninformation by referring to the integral apparatus internalconfiguration information; designing a migration plan by referring theintegral apparatus connection information, the migration plan indicatingthat a virtual machine operated on the computer and a storage area ofthe storage apparatus are to be introduced into or removed from thecomputer system; and outputting the migration plan.
 10. The method forrenewing a computer system according to claim 9, wherein the managementcomputer further comprises utilization rate information, and the methodfurther comprising the step of: deciding a migration destination of thevirtual machine and the storage area by referring to the utilizationrate information.
 11. The method for renewing a computer systemaccording to claim 10, further comprising the step of: seeking a systemadministrators approval with the outputted migration plan.
 12. Themethod for renewing a computer system according to claim 11, furthercomprising the steps of: monitoring a connection of the new integralapparatus to the computer system, and after detecting the connection ofnew integral apparatus, proceeding to obtain the integral apparatusinternal configuration information.
 13. The method for renewing acomputer system according to claim 12, wherein the migration planincludes a time of the migration of each virtual machine and storagearea.
 14. The method for renewing a computer system according to claim13, wherein the migration plan includes a sequence of the migration ofeach virtual machine and storage area.
 15. The method for renewing acomputer system according to claim 14, wherein the sequence of themigration is in an order corresponding to an available resource of thevirtual machine and storage area.
 16. The method for renewing a computersystem according to claim 15, wherein the order of the sequence of themigration further corresponds to an improvement rate of the availableresource of the virtual machine and storage area.